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Does anyone have experience with the

Author: fromsfca
Date: 2016-07-03 06:11

Leblanc Symphonie 7 clarinet?

I'm not seeking info on the other varied earlier Symphonie models....just the 7.

I understand it to be the opus in rosewood. I love the Opus I use as my primary clarinet and was seeking another Opus as a backup....I'm being offered a Symphonie 7 and am looking for feedback from folks who have spent time playing one, ideally, in professional setting.

Thanks in advance

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Re: Does anyone have experience with the

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2016-07-03 16:44

Ricardo Morales played one for a while, and I heard him give a recital on it. He of course was amazing, but I thought the instrument lacked the power and clarity he got from grenadilla.

Also, rosewood warps a lot and needs frequent attention. If you're Ricardo, you can go direct to Morrie Backun, who will ream the bore out to its original dimensions. If you're frpmsfca (or Ken Shaw), not so much.

If you want a non-grenadilla clarinet, try a current model, such as the Backun models in cocobolo, which still warps, but not as much as rosewood.

Ken Shaw

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Re: Does anyone have experience with the

Author: fromsfca
Date: 2016-07-03 17:38

Thanks Ken,

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Re: Does anyone have experience with the

Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-07-03 18:48

The cocobolo Mobas are a force to be reckoned with - I can best describe them as Leblancs on steroids. Incredible instruments, but way, way above my budget and I couldn't justify shelling out that kind of money on a set of clarinets I won't have much opportunity to play.

The Symphonie VII is rosewood with plastic bushed toneholes, so they should seal bottle tight when padded properly. They were the top model Leblanc back in the day and the Opus was the model immediately below them, then the Concerto.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.

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Re: Does anyone have experience with the

Author: Morrie Backun
Date: 2016-07-04 23:14

Hello,

Just a few points to help explain the different woods.

First (to address Ken's point) We are pleased to help any Backun player with their needs, not just Ricardo. We regularly work on mechanical, tuning and voicing for players at all levels.

I measure bores all the time using very sophisticated tooling that measures with great precision. Having done this for years I have not measured significantly more variation in dimensional stability between grenadilla and cocobolo. We manufacture clarinets and accessories using both woods all the time.

Hope that helps clarify the point.

Morrie Backun
Backun Musical Services
604-205-5770
morrie@backunmusical.com

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Re: Does anyone have experience with the

Author: fromsfca
Date: 2016-07-05 00:40

Thank you Morrie,

Would you say the same comparing dimensional stability between grenadilla and rosewood?

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Re: Does anyone have experience with the

Author: Morrie Backun
Date: 2016-07-05 02:24

I have measured some Symphonie 7 clarinets over time and each was different. We experimented with various rosewoods but decided on Cocobolo after testing, due to many factors including stability.

Morrie Backun
Backun Musical Services
604-205-5770
morrie@backunmusical.com

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